Injured Irish pair could make squad
Irish internationals Jerry Flannery and Luke Fitzgerald may join the Irish squad for the autumn internationals.
The Irish hooker and wing were ruled out of the initial 34 man panel after they picked up injuries for their clubs in the Heineken Cup.
Flannery suffered a recurrence of a calf injury that has seen him only play one match so far this season. The player came on as a substitute in Munster’s Heineken Cup win over Toulon only to strain his calf again.
Fitzgerald was injured in Leinster’s away win over Saracens in their Heineken Cup. The Irish winger injured his hip in a collision during the game.
Irish coach Declan Kidney has not called up the Irish pair, but he is expected to let the forward and back join up with the squad.
“It was better for those who picked up knocks to be assessed back in the provinces and, when they have the all-clear, to come back into the squad,” said Kidney.
"Jerry and Luke are in that position, as are Tomas (O'Leary) and Leo (Cullen) who may well come back into the mix depending on their recoveries and game time that they may need to build up over the next couple of weeks," added the Irish coach.
Kidney has called up new caps Devon Toner of Leinster and Johne Murphy of Munster for the matches.
Ireland will take on South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina in consecutive weeks during the autumn internationals.
Kidney has brought Keith Earls, Rory Best, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Denis Leamy, Stephen Ferris and Sean O’Brien back into the squad after they missed the summer tour of New Zealand and Australia through injury.
It is expected that Flannery and Fitzgerald will miss the match against South Africa on 6 November. However the pair will hope to feature against the All Blacks on 20 November.
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